Educational to Mossel Bay

We were fetched by our Water Taxi at 8.30am to have a wonderful Breakfast and be in time for our Elephant Ride on Tsotsi and Sam who are 20 and 25 years old respectively. They have also starred in one of our South African Movies called "Kringe in die Bos" (meaning Cicles in the Bush) Botlierskop was the first Game Lodge to offer Elephant rides. This was a wonderful experience to travel on these gentle giants. We of course had to take our time as they move slowly, and make no sound as they travel through the bush stopping now and then for a drink from a fresh mountain steam or nibble on some stray grass along the way. Our elephant handlers/guides were very informative regarding the elephants. One can also have a longer walk and have a picnic on route when you have time on your hands. Unfortunately, we had to leave Botlierskop and the elephants as we had to be back by 11.00 for our next venue.

Jauckie Viljoen from "Meet the People Tours" was waiting for us when we got back to camp. We were then taken to the Mossel Bay Boutique Spa Hotel. This is a very special venue for Wedding Couples. So those of you who have wedding bells ringing soon, book now because you are going to have a wonderful time. They offer all the amenities that a Spa can offer and you are also on the Beach Front at Mossel Bay, where you can go for long walks and enjoy the ocean.

The next stop was right next door to the Diaz Beach Hotel where Denise Lloyd their Marketing Manager took us on a "Cooks Tour"of their Hotel. The Hotel is ideal for Holiday makers, Family, Business people and Corporate Functions or Conferences. There again you are on the Beach Front which provides everything for you to relax and enjoy the unpolluted fresh air.

We were then taken to the Kingfisher Restaurant at the Point for coffee and here one can have delicious Seafood meal while watching the waves rolling onto the beach.

You once again have lovely open spaces and can walk to the Harbour. After that we visited the Khoi Village and Restaurant,right on the Point overlooking Mossel Bay and the ocean. Time was of the essence but we will be going back there again the end of August and will give you more information.

Then Jazzbury's was the next stop. Here in an old Stone House you go back to the Jazz Era and enjoy food from yester year an all South African Cuisine. We were served "Waterblommetjie"Soup, Bobotie and Yellow Rice with Pumpkin Fritters and fresh vegetables, finishing off with Sago Pudding and Custard. The menu was so large, we did not know what to choose so left it to Cecile,who is the owner. The range of puddings, were mind boggling...... Everything looked so delicious and tasty.

This must be one of the best South African Cuisine Restaurants we have visited in a long time and is a must for your overseas visitors. Very easy to find as it is situated in the Main Road near the Point.

After our delicious meal we were taken to Burack's for Coffee. In our next letter I will tell you more about this particular visit.

We then proceeded to go to the Diaz Museum. This is a very large Museum and stretches over a vast area. They had a replica of Diaz's Boat where you are taken on a tour, many fresh indidunous flowers were on display which were beautiful. In their garden they also have planks for the blind which we thought was very thoughtful, as some places forget the blind are also interested in South African History and its country. We would recommend a visit to the Museum when in Mossel Bay.

Our Final stop for the day was at Nyaru Game Lodge a few kilometers outside Mossel Bay. There we stayed over for the evening in a lovely Chalet. On arriving we were taken on a Game Drive and saw many animals such as Zebra, Kudu, Waterbuck, Impala,

Antelope, Giraffe etc. Also visited their Cheetah Camp. The vegetation at Nyaru was very interesting as is has the Cape Fauna and Flora and also the Karoo Fauna and Flora. It was very green and beautiful.

Our supper consisted of Kudu Sosaties, Wildebeest Sausage, Chicken Sosaties, vegetables, chips and salads. Afterwards we had Coffee and Chocolates. At Nyaru they have a lovely swimming pool and electricity is supplied by Generator. This reminded us of the time we were also living out in the country on the river banks in the Eastern Cape. Sometimes is was very useful having a generator. When the town nearby had no electricity, our neighbours would come and cook there Sunday meal at our home during the Christmas Holidays when the town could not coupe with the influx of visitors.

Besides the Generator there were also Gas lamps and candles. A pleasant night was had as we could listen to the generator chugging along till someone switched it off and we could only hear the night sounds, which lulled us to sleep..............